Invisalign – Holliston, MA

The Invisalign Treatment Process

Patients wear a series of trays over the course of several months in order to safely shift teeth. Each pair represents a different stage of your treatment. By wearing the trays for about 22 hours per day, teeth will begin to gently shift into their new positions. Once you finish wearing each pair in the set (generally a two-week period for each pair), you need to wear a retainer to prevent any potential relapses from happening. These will keep your teeth straight moving forward and will need to be worn regularly for the first year. Since the entire series is created ahead of time, you won’t have to visit as often for checkups or treatment.

What to Expect from Your Treatment Experience

It is crucial to wear the aligners for a set period of time every day. The minimum amount of time you should be wearing them is 20 hours daily, but we recommend 22 hours in order to maximize your results. When you wear them longer, you help the teeth shift more effectively and ensure your teeth reach a straighter position sooner. Every aligner can be removed, allowing you to eat the foods you want and continue your at-home oral care routine with relatively little disruption. However, you will need to regularly clean the aligners to keep them clear and in their dedicated case so you don’t lose or damage them.

Am I a Candidate for Invisalign?

Do you have a severe case of misalignment or a significantly uneven bite? If so, Invisalign may not be the best treatment for you. Additionally, those who do have crooked back teeth will likely not see the results they are looking for compared to traditional braces. Lastly, only those who have fully erupted permanent teeth should be eligible for treatment. With that said, Invisalign is a good option for teenagers since their teeth are no longer growing and developing. Additionally, those who find it difficult to comply with their trays (i.e. they can’t wear them for 20 to 22 hours per day), may find fixed orthodontic appliances to be easier to use.

Invisalign Frequently Asked Questions

Everyone wants to have a great smile. If you were born with misaligned teeth, Invisalign is a great way to attain a beautiful smile without compromising your professional image. You might be unfamiliar with Invisalign, but don’t worry. We can explain the ins and outs of this treatment during your consultation. In the meantime, we’ve provided the answers to some of the Invisalign questions we get asked the most often.

How Much Does Invisalign Cost?

In most cases, you can expect Invisalign to cost about the same as traditional braces. Of course, the price of your treatment depends on several factors, including your age, the complexity of your case, and how dedicated you are to wearing your aligners as often as prescribed.

At Simply Orthodontics Holliston, we are in-network with many, many dental insurance carriers. We’ll also gladly file your paperwork for you to make the process much easier. We even offer low-to-no interest financing through a third-party payment plan.

Can I Get Invisalign If I’ve Already Had Braces?

Absolutely! Many of our Invisalign patients have previously had braces, but their teeth have since shifted. In fact, it’s often easier to straighten teeth with Invisalign after you’ve already worn braces, since braces usually take care of the more significant orthodontic issues. As a result, you can expect to spend less time wearing the aligners than you did wearing braces.

Will Invisalign Work If I Have Dental Work Like Crowns or Bridges?

It depends on the type of dental work you have. The aligners are designed to shift each tooth individually. Since dental bridges connect one or more teeth, Invisalign may not be effective. Restorations that only affect one tooth, such as veneers or dental crowns, might be unaffected by the aligners. Our team can discuss your situation in greater detail after giving your mouth a thorough examination.

How Do I Keep My Aligners Clean?

It’s a good idea to let your aligners soak in water or an Invisalign cleaning solution while you’re eating. At least once a day, you should scrub them clean with a toothbrush and a clear hand soap under running water. In both of these situations, use cold or lukewarm water. Hot water could permanently warp the shape of the plastic, rendering them ineffective.

Will the Aligners Affect the Way I Speak?

Initially, it may sound like you have a bit of a lisp. It will take a few days for your tongue to get used to the aligners being in your mouth. To speed up your adjustment process, you can practice saying words with lots of “s” sounds, like “Mississippi” or counting from sixty to seventy repeatedly, when you’re alone.